Washington Commanders: What recent QB moves mean for future

What should the Washington Commanders do at quarterback following all the big moves on Tuesday?

One of the biggest storylines of the offseason for the Washington Commanders has been all about quarterbacks. Obviously, a move needs to be made, very few people will argue against that point. However, are they going to add through the draft? Or maybe make a big splash in free agency? Perhaps a trade could bring in a big name as well?

Well, Tuesday was a pretty massive day for QBs. First, we got the news that Aaron Rodgers signed a massive deal to stay with the Green Bay Packers for four more years. Then we heard not too long after that the Seattle Seahawks traded Russell Wilson to the Denver Broncos for a King’s ransom.

And with those two moves, the Washington Commanders should have their answer as to what to do at the QB position this offseason. Look to the 2022 NFL Draft.

There are a few reasons for this. Obviously, that’s two of the biggest names off the market already. But it’s not the only factor. Rodgers signed a historic deal, and the return Seattle got for Wilson was an absolute haul. Yes, no one was going to get paid like Rodgers and few would get better trade packages than Wilson. But they still set the standard for the offseason.

No QB in their right mind is going to go up to teams and say “well this is what Rodgers got, so I want more!” But what they will say is “well this is what Rodgers got, so I want this number which is still lower than his.” And honestly, that number will probably still be insanely high.

If Rodgers took a team-friendly deal, the market would be set lower. Now he is getting paid “X” amount, so the QBs below him will want “Y” amount. Less than Rodgers, sure. But they’ll be able to negotiate at higher prices pointing to Rodgers as setting the market.

Meanwhile, teams will be able to do that with trade packages as well. “Well, the Seahawks got all that for 33-year-old Russell Wilson coming off one of his worst years and the first time he ever missed games. So give us something similar.”

Honestly, it’s not worth it for the Commanders. Jimmy Garoppolo is a solid QB, but he’s not a franchise guy. The price tag was too big before. Now imagine how ridiculous it would be. Deshaun Watson has all that baggage and the Texans were already asking for so much to begin with, he should be out.

Meanwhile, what free agent QB are you going after? And don’t say Mitchell Trubisky because sure there’s a chance he turns his career around, but it’s the same chance anyone else has in those situations. His one good season saw him throw for barely 3,000 yards in 14 games. He had Tarik Cohen and Jordan Howard at running back (Cohen led the team in receptions) and Allen Robinson and a few other decent weapons in the passing game.

Oh, and an insane defense that gave up the fewest points per game (17.7), led the NFL in takeaways (36) and led the NFL in defensive touchdowns (six). They even threw in a safety because they probably were getting bored.

So don’t tell me Trubisky was winning. The Bears were winning with him at quarterback (he wasn’t terrible but he wasn’t good), not because of him.

And even if you want him, the issue is that the market is now set so high. So let’s say you’re on the Trubisky train, do you really want Washington to have to give him a decent-sized contract likely for multiple years? Do you trust that even if you think he is better than everyone else thinks?

That’s where we’re at now because of two insanely massive moves made on Tuesday. And Washington can’t afford to miss on a QB that they invest a lot of money or capital into.

Look at the draft. There are quite a few viable options. Maybe not everyone is completely sold on someone. Let’s be honest there have been better QB classes. This class still has plenty of prospects with insanely high potential though.

And what do you do then? You use those draft picks that you would have traded and all that money that you would have paid to a free agent, and you build around the QB. Terry McLaurin is already there. Antonio Gibson is there. A good offensive line is there. An incredible defensive line is there.

Get another receiver. Find another piece or two for the secondary. Fill in gaps in the linebacker position. Maybe even look for a tight end (Logan Thomas is great but there have to be some concerns after his injuries last year).

The Washington Commanders are not “just a quarterback away” from being Super Bowl contenders unless that QB is someone like Aaron Rodgers. And guess what, he’s off the market now. Save up all that extra money and all those draft picks, and build your team.

Is it Malik Willis time? Or will Kenny Pickett be the quarterback? Matt Corral or Sam Howell? Desmond Ridder? Carson Strong? Maybe even someone expected to go much later? Either way, the Washington Commanders need a new quarterback. And unless they want to severely handicap themselves in other ways, the draft is their best option now.